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Monday, June 11, 2012

The CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival (WSFF) has presented the winners of the festival jury prizes, including eight prizes and over $65,000 in cash and awards.

This year’s jury was comprised of Shane Smith, Director of Public Programmes at TIFF Bell Lightbox, filmmaker Iain Gardner, winner of the 2011 Best Animated Short award at WSFF for The Tannery, Susanne Folkesson, acquisition executive for UR, Ian Harnarine, winner of the Genie Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2012 for Doubles with Slight Pepper) and award-winning filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée (Café de Flore).

WSFF is one of only four Canadian festivals accredited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Winners for Best Live-Action Short and Best Animated Short are eligible for Academy Award nominations. WSFF Canadian award winners are eligible for Genie Awards.
The Award Winners of the 2012 CFC Worldwide Short Film Festival are:

The Bravo!FACT Award for Best Canadian Short: EDMOND WAS A DONKEY (EDMOND ÉTAIT UN ÂNE), directed by Franck Dion. This award is accompanied by a prize of $5,000. The jury remarked: “For its depth of story, sensitivity and off-beat depiction of a highly original character, this year’s choice inspired the jury to follow their bliss.”

The Deluxe Award for Best Live-Action Short – THE FACTORY (A FÁBRICA), directed by Aly Muritiba. The jury remarked: “This daring and emotional story of family ties took us on an intense journey beneath the hard surface of a brutal environment, to find the spark and beauty of the human condition. Nuanced performances, compelling storytelling and outstanding direction deliver a punch to the gut.”

The Deluxe Award for Best Performance in a Live-Action Short – MY SWEETHEART (MON AMOUREUX), performance by Miss Ming. The jury remarked: “A sympathetic, delicate and charming portrayal that engages the audience in a sensitive moral debate. The jury was seduced by the talent of this actress who delivered a touching performance ‘troublante de vérité’.”

The Kodak Award for Best Cinematography in a Canadian Short – GRAVITY OF CENTER, cinematography by Christophe Collette. The jury remarked: “This rhythmic film captures the human form and the aesthetics of movement through its precise composition, masterful use of light and shadows and seamless transitions.”

The Panasonic Award for Best Documentary Short – EIGHTY EIGHT, directed by Sebastian Feehan. The jury remarked: “This intimate portrait of a man and his desire to embrace life inspired the jury and brought tears to their eyes. This short deserved to be honoured invrecognition of its treatment of its subject, its examination of love and life lessons learned.” An honourable mention goes to REMEMBER ME MY GHOST, directed by Ross McDonnell.

Best Animated Short – THE MAKER, directed by Christopher Kezelos. The jury remarked: “We experienced a ‘coup de coeur’ and a ‘grand moment de cinéma’ after watching this exquisite film that perfectly encapsulates what the animation process is all about, as a soul is injected into an inanimate object.”

Best Experimental Short – GRAVITY OF CENTER, directed by Thibaut Duverneix. The jury remarked: “Rhythmic and inventive this film creates new forms in the language of film; cerebral and emotional, it dares to dream.” An honourable mention goes to MOVING STORIES, directed by Nicolas Provost.

Also presented at the ceremony was the winner of WSFF’s Screenplay Giveaway Prize, which went to Tanya Lemke for STATIC. The Screenplay Giveaway winner was determined by a jury comprised of Walter Forsyth (producer, The Disappeared), Liz Janzen (former director of programming, National Screen Institute), and Kellie Ann Benz (The Shorts Report). Lemke will receive a prize package of goods and services valued at over $50,000 to assist with turning her script into a short film. The jury remarked: “A poignant look at mortality through the eyes of a senior whose mind may be fracturing under the pressure of our disposable society. Good use of flashbacks, the characters feel human and the message is clear, all in a contained world.”

The WSFF 2012 Audience Choice Award determined by audience ballot went to UNRAVEL, directed by Meghna Gupta, A UK/India co-production, the documentary explores the hidden corners of the international textile industry with the charismatic Indian workers whose job it is to recycle the massive shipments of second-hand clothing arriving daily from the West.

Now in its 18th year, the Canadian Film Centre’s Worldwide Short Film Festival is the leading venue for the exhibition and promotion of short film in North America and is one of the premier short film festivals in the world. Taking place June 5th – 10th, 2012, WSFF presents 244 films from 35 countries. Offering one of the largest prize packages for short film in the world, top WSFF winners are eligible for both Academy Award®and Genie Award consideration. The WSFF Short Films: BIG IDEAS Symposium offers renowned professional development, while the WSFF Business Centre is home to the largest marketplace for the sale and acquisition of short films in North America. For more information please visit: www.shorterisbetter.com